THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE

(Psa 100:4) Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

What a great Thanksgiving Eve Service we had! We worshipped with songs that emphasized giving of thanks. We then had open sharing time where people were given the opportunity to share what they were thankful for. Jason Davitt then gave an appropriate message from God's Word about giving of thanks in good times and bad. Communion followed and then an open prayer time. Afterwards we felt ready for Thanksgiving!!

DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING THOUGHT

WHAT IS YOUR NEED TODAY?

(Exo 3:14) And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"


In the Old Testament, Jehovah (or Yahweh) is used along with other words to construct a compound name. These compound names of Jehovah tell us that God is self-existent and is able and ready to meet any need His people might have:

To those upon beds of sickness He is known as JEHOVAH-RAPHA, "the Lord that heals" (Exo 15:26). Pressed by the enemy they call upon JEHOVAH-NISSI, "the Lord our banner." (Exo 17:8-15) Cumbered with care, they learn that He is JEHOVAH-SHALOM, "the Lord our peace." (Judg 6:24) As pilgrims in the earth they feel the need of JEHOVAH RA'AH, "the Lord my shepherd." (Psalm 23:1) Conscious of condemnation and needing justification they hopefully call upon JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU, "the Lord our righteousness." (Jer 23:6) When in need they learn that he is JEHOVAH-JIREH, "the Lord who provides." (Gen. 22:14) And when the kingdom of God shall have come upon the earth He shall be known as JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH, "the Lord is there." (Eze 48:35) (From "Knowing the Doctrines of the Bible" by Myer Pearlman; Gospel Publishing House; 1937).

What need do you have today? The LORD is able and willing to meet that need. Just give it now to Him!

LEADING SOMEONE TO CHRIST (Early release of Shepherd to Sheep)

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

LEADING SOMEONE TO CHRIST

(John 1:40-42) …Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. {41} He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated, the Christ). {42} And he brought him to Jesus…

I heard it again the other day. I heard a preacher on the radio ask his audience “When was the last time you led someone to Christ?” And again I felt guilty. Yes, I’ve heard the statistics that very few Christians have ever led someone to Christ. Classes are offered on how to witness. Books are written on how to share your faith. We highly respect those who seem to have that natural boldness. But most of us cringe when we think about walking up to someone and shamelessly presenting the truths of the gospel. Therefore I see the necessity of bringing this under discussion.

The Bible speaks of the gift of evangelism that some people have. (Eph 4:11) And He Himself gave some to be…evangelists… These I believe are specially gifted by God to proclaim the good news of Jesus. They have a special burden for the lost and seek for ways to share the way of salvation through Christ. It seems to be the top priority of their lives. You see them so naturally talking to people about the Lord. You admire them for that. And the interesting thing is people seem to respond.

But do all possess this gift? The Bible goes on to speak of other gifts that people will have. The Word declares that we are all part of the body of Christ and will have varying gifts. These gifts will be predominant in our lives. The important question at this juncture would be should we relegate the proclamation of the gospel to the gifted evangelists? Or should we force ourselves to get out of our comfort zone and tell people about the Lord?

I would like to put it this way: Though some are evangelists we all are called to evangelize. Now what does that specifically mean? I think it means that if we are not called to be an evangelist, God will call us to share our faith in a unique way with others. It could be taking a neighbor to the doctor. It might be watching your nephew’s soccer game because his mom is at work. It could be you remembered your fellow employees birthday and brought a cake in and celebrated. Situations like these open the door for people to see the Lord in your life and to ask questions. Prayerfully they will respond and give their lives to the Lord. (Mat 5:16) "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

I believe that up in heaven there will be surprises. There will be people there that you led to the Lord. Maybe you didn’t pray the sinner’s prayer with them but you did lead them to Christ. When they came into your life you said by your life and love, “He’s over there!” Later they gave their life to the Lord. And when you see them in heaven they’re going to say, “Thanks!”

Louie

MEN'S RETREAT

We had a blessed time at the Men's Retreat this past weekend at Alpine Christian Conference Center in Twin Peaks!

We studied the book of 1 Timothy. Our theme was ARE YOU A PILLAR? from the scripture: (1 Tim 3:15) but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

We had a nice meeting room all to ourselves and very conducive for study.

Roy Center teaching 1 Timothy 2.

Cesar leads worship Saturday morning.

Watch this video clip of Jeremy Britton teaching 1 Timothy 3. You'll see men eager for the study of God's Word!

Mike Harrison teaches 1 Timothy 4.

The fellowship keeps going inbetween the studies!

Yes, more food for the brothers at Lake Arrowhead Saturday afternoon.

Listen to the praise band playing Saturday night!

Ron Ayala and Steve Rice play-act a skit about witnessing to others. Ron was asking men to join the GO! Team door-to-door ministry on Saturday mornings.


Brother Michael Campbell was kind enough to share a few songs he had written. We discovered his giftings from the Lord at the Musician's Fellowship. He gives all glory to God!



Brother Tony Fasano did a good job with 1 Timothy 5.

More praise. These brothers love the Lord! After the Saturday night study we turned down the lights and had an Afterglow. We worshipped, had communion, and then just waited on the Lord. There were some great encouragements from the Lord that came forth. We spent a lot of time sharing our hearts and praying for each other. What a highlight!

I left for home a little before midnight to get ready for the Sunday morning services. I missed Jason Davitt sharing from the Word in 1 Timothy 6. Once I get some photos of him I'll be posting them. (Any brothers that have more pics of the retreat, please send them to me so I can post them!)

Thank-you Jesus for men who are pillars. Strong in the Lord and in the power of His might to be that foundation and support in these last days!

PASTOR GEORGE

Pastor George passed away this week. He was 95 years old! (He's seated in the chair in the middle) He was such a blessing to all of us pastors in the Corona-Norco area who meet every Thursday morning for prayer. George would always say the closing prayer and pray like thunder for revival. He told us he would pray for us pastors every morning during his devotions. He would always be such an encouragement when you would talk with him. He almost died at 81 years old but the Lord kept him alive. I'm glad because he has had a significant impact on so many.

(Psa 116:15) Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints.

THANKSGIVING 2008 (Early release of Shepherd to Sheep

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP
PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION
(October 3, 1863)

It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord.

We know that by His divine law, nations, like individuals, are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world. May we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war which now desolates the land may be a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people?

We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown.

But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.

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(Psa 103:2) Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits

Here’s the assignment this year. Gather together and read Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation (how fitting post-elections!), read Psalm 103:1-5 and then have each person share what they are thankful for. It’s been a tough year for our country but we have so much to be thankful for. And as you give thanks please remember to say a prayer for our soldiers and missionaries oversees.

The Lord richly bless you and your family this Thanksgiving!

Louie

ROBED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS

(These are notes from the study on November 9)

The Bible talks a lot about the righteous man. What makes a man righteous?

1) Surely not our own righteousness!

(Titus 3:5) not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

(Isa 64:6) But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.

2) The righteousness of Christ makes a man righteous.

(2 Cor 5:21) For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

(Isa 61:10) I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Are you robed in the righteousness of Christ?